Everything You Want To Know About Labiaplasty

Watch the video below to hear Dr. Karen Horton discuss labiaplasty surgery, a procedure that removes excess tissue from the female external genitalia, specifically the inner and/or outer labia on occasion. Most women who desire labiaplasty are looking to feel more comfortable, both physically and emotionally. In addition to eliminating chafing and discomfort in the vaginal area during common activities like walking, running, and cycling, for many women labiaplasty can also reduce self consciousness, improve confidence while wearing certain clothes such as yoga pants (and while naked!) as well as improve sexual function. As Dr. Horton says, “If there’s a small tweak that will help you feel more comfortable in your own skin, it’s certainly something to consider.”

What Is Labiaplasty?

Labiaplasty is an elective cosmetic surgery that reduces the size of the labia and addresses concerns with the labia minora and labia majora, or vaginal lips. The labia minora is the “inner lips” of the vagina, while the labia majora is the “outer lips” of the vagina. When it comes to the labia minora, the part of the vulva that patients most often want to improve, concerns tend to be about anatomy that hangs longer and lower than the labia majora and is more darkly pigmented than surrounding tissues. When it comes to the labia majora, some women desire a trim to this area as well, while others want to plump these outer lips with a fat graft or dermal filler injection for a more youthful appearance.

Labiaplasty is an outpatient surgical procedure that is usually performed in the office under local anesthesia with an oral anti-anxiety medication. It is often performed in combination with other rejuvenation procedures such as monsplasty (reduction of the fatty tissues above the genitals using liposuction), clitoral hood reduction to lessen folds of skin at the front of the labia region, or non-surgical vaginal laser treatments to improve conditions such as dryness and stress urinary incontinence. Labiaplasty can also be combined with reconstructive vaginal surgeries along with a gynecologic surgeon.

Finding The Right Plastic Surgeon For Your Labiaplasty

According to the American Society of Plastic Surgeons, when considering labiaplasty, it’s important to find a surgeon in your area who is highly trained and Board-Certified by the American Board of Plastic Surgery.¹ Reshaping the labia to a more symmetrical and aesthetically pleasing appearance can be a life-changing procedure and should always be performed by someone with a specialty in aesthetic medicine. Only a Board-Certified Plastic Surgeon has the skills, experience, and talent required to make aesthetic adjustments that are both cosmetically pleasing and anatomically functional. Visit our Labiaplasty before and after gallery to see some real patient results.

The Labiaplasty Procedure

Labiaplasty surgery is a simple procedure that takes about an hour to an hour and a half to perform, and this cosmetic procedure is typically done in the office. Labiaplasty is usually done under local anesthesia and/or light sedation combined with anti-anxiety medication to calm and nerves, however, it can also be performed under general anesthesia. Dr. Horton typically injects a numbing agent, then utilizes the “trim” technique where the excess skin is removed and then sutures the remaining tissues together in three layers of dissolving stitches, taking extra care to hide any scars within the natural folds of the skin. Visit our Labiaplasty page to learn more about this procedure.

Recovering From Labiaplasty Surgery

After labiaplasty surgery, most patients experience some mild discomfort after the numbing agent wears off but usually, Tylenol is enough to quell any pain. Bruising and swelling is also normal, as is asymmetry in the swelling. Dr. Horton sees patients a week or two after surgery, at six weeks, and then at three months for their follow-up appointments, to ensure everything is healing nicely, and then again at one-year post-surgery. The swelling will gradually subside over six weeks, and during the first four weeks, Dr. Horton suggests taking time off from exercise and sexual intercourse, and refraining from using tampons. Patients can shower the next day, but should avoid submerging the treatment area in water—so no baths or hot tubs for at least three weeks.

Life After Labiaplasty

At the one-year follow-up many patients say, “Dr. Horton, everything is going great, I haven’t even thought about it!” and that is exactly what Dr. Horton is aiming for with each labiaplasty she performs. Taking something that was once a cause of daily concern and improving or completely eliminating it so patients can focus on the things that really matter—like enjoying their lives!

If you’re interested in labiaplasty surgery, have questions about how it can help you look or feel more comfortable, or would like to view before and after photos please contact us today!

¹ American Society of Plastic Surgeons. Patient Safety. Available at: www.plasticsurgery.org/patient-safety. Accessed February 16, 2021.